Crack

Some bands produce a shining debut and then in the glaring lights of expectation they crumble and fade away to nothing. Warpaint do not. Their live show is captivating.

Singer Emily Kokal has an utterly charming stage presence, she is awkwardly elegant, bunching her fists in her jumper and twirling her hair as she unleashes her hypnotising voice. Fellow vocalist and lead guitarist Theresa Wayman provides the ethereal harmonies, haunting melodies and also the most between-song banter.

“Would you like to get up here and sing the next one, all by yourself?” she cheekily suggests to Big Geoff who has been thrashing and bobbing his impressive mane of hair since the PA started playing warm up music. “Only joking”, adds Wayman, exchanging sly glances with her band mates who seem quietly delighted at the effect their music is having.

This kind of natural chemistry is what makes the set truly brilliant. Jenny Lee Lindberg on bass and Stella Mozgawa on drums weave together into a powerhouse rhythm section, at one point getting behind the drum kit together for an unconventional but transfixing drum solo. Their set flows with effortless fluidity, making their intricate psych-infused jams seem easy.

They succeed in translating the eerily fractured beauty of The Fool across the stage, dispelling any more-hipster-than-though preconceptions with an endearing stage presence and knockout musical talent. It would be a surprise if the band continues to play such cosy venues in the future, because Warpaint rarely fall short of being completely absorbing.



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Words: El Hunt

http://www.myspace.com/worldwartour

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